The UN Global Compact, UNEP and UNFCCC secretariat to host the inaugural Caring for Climate
Business Forum on 19 - 20 November

Around the world, awareness of climate change has grown by leaps
and bounds over the past years. This has increased action on climate change, much of it in the
private sector. Climate change has entered into boardrooms decisions and is playing a role in the
halls where investment decisions are made. It is on the agendas of energy companies and is leading to
new products and services. Consumers are demanding more and more climate-friendly options and
companies are responding to this demand.

This is a significant development that steers the world towards a climate-safe development path. The
need for this transition is driven home by the recent release of the physical science of
climate change by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in September. The IPCC report
clearly states that CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere have increased by 40 percent from the 280ppm
in pre-industrial times due to human activity, including burning fossil fuels and land use and
management. At present, concentrations are 54 percent above the 1990 level. Unchecked climate change
threatens the foundation on which social and economic development are built.

Businesses are waking up to this threat, and are responding with serious climate change action. The
results prove that the private sector makes an increasingly important contribution both to the
international process and to building momentum to a climate-safe pathway.

This was recognized by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who launched the Caring for Climate
initiative in 2007. Caring for Climate is the world’s largest voluntary business and climate
initiative and has been endorsed by 350 companies from nearly 60 countries. The initiative, which is
pursuing a highly robust programme of strategic activities and deliverables, provides a framework for
business leaders to advance practical solutions and help shape public policy. UN Global Compact, the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNFCCC are full partners and co-owners of the
initiative.

Since its inception, Caring for Climate has evolved as a catalyst that enables action by bringing
policymakers and private sector decision makers together. It facilitated two successful COP/CMP
interactions for its signatories. At COP 18 in Doha, the initiative offered business leaders the
unique opportunity to directly interface with UNFCCC’s technology, adaptation and finance
committee Chairs, as well as the Green Climate Fund Board. At this meeting, the UN
Secretary-General reiterated Caring for Climate’s role as a backbone to solving the global
climate challenge.

COP 19/CMP 9 in Warsaw is an
opportunity to showcase potential for action, and the UN Global Compact, UNEP and UNFCCC secretariat
will host the inaugural Caring for Climate Business Forum on 19-20 November. The Forum will help
business and investors directly interface with government negotiators, the UN and civil society, with
a view to engaging in dialogue, action and collaboration in support of the UNFCCC process. It aims to
scale up business innovation on climate change and gives further encouragement to business and
governments to raise ambition on climate policies. We can also expect some concrete announcements on
the part of major businesses on how they intend to quickly transition to low-carbon, notably using
renewable energy.

Caring for Climate aims to mobilize 400 participants - many from emerging markets and LDCs - for COP
19/CMP 9 with the support of Global Compact Local Network in Poland.

The Climate Business Forum represents a key opportunity for interested stakeholders to connect with
the hub of climate change activity. It is one of the many encouraging examples of action that
contribute to building the critical mass momentum that places the world on a climate-safe path. View
full programme information here.